Queen's Legend Has Died

He joined the Dumfries side in 1949 and scored 251 goals in 14 seasons at Palmerston Park - including six goals in one game against Cowdenbeath.

He was one of the first players to be inducted into the Doonhamers' Hall of Fame.

His final appearance for the club was in 1963. His funeral will be held in Dumfries on Monday.

Originally from Perthshire, Patterson nearly signed for Manchester City after leaving the army but decided instead to stay in Scotland and was snapped up by Queens' manager Jimmy McKinnell Jnr. under the noses of Glasgow Rangers who were also keen on him.

He was a big stocky forward who - at the start of his career - played alongside Billy Houliston.

Later, "Big Jim" took over from Houliston as centre forward flanked by Bobby Black, Jimmy McGill, Wattie Rothera and Jackie Oakes in what was probably Queens greatest ever front five.

Patterson was in the team that reached Queen of the South's first and, until four years ago, only Scottish cup semi-final.

For much of his time at Queens, the club was in the top division of the Scottish game.

Queen's diehard Willie Gordon,84 from Woodlands near Dumfries had nothing but praise for "Big Jim". Willie remembers Patterson as an absolute colossus of a player with a terrific shot and of course he was deadly in the air with his bald napper.

I also remember Patterson as an old fashioned centre forward who gave and expected no quarter. Towards the end of his career he switched to center half and was equally at home in defence.

A very popular and friendly man around Dumfries who will be sadly missed.

Our thoughts are with his family

Big Jim in his heyday - congratulating Jerry Irving scoring against the Cleyholers at Palmy.

Big Jim on target against Stirling Albion in a cup eplay at a snow covered Palmy.